Matthew Perry’s sudden death in October 2023 stunned fans and friends alike. The “Friends” star, found unresponsive in his Los Angeles home’s hot tub, died at 54 from what seemed like a drowning. But an autopsy soon revealed a darker truth: Perry passed due to the “acute effects of ketamine.”
Now, a Peacock documentary, Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy, streaming since Feb. 25, 2025, digs into his secret relapse, final days, and the investigation that followed, with fresh insider perspectives.
Five people, including two doctors and Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, face charges tied to his death. Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, admitting he injected Perry with the drug. The documentary captures the heartbreak of those close to him.
“They really preyed on somebody vulnerable,” one interviewee said. “He was doing so well. Everyone thought he was clean and sober.” Morgan Fairchild, who played Perry’s mom on “Friends,” shares memories in the hour-long special, reflecting on his charm and struggles.
Perry’s rise as Chandler Bing made him a household name, but addiction shadowed his success. The documentary traces his journey, spotlighting how he hid his relapse. Martin Estrada, the U.S. attorney overseeing the case, offers chilling details.
“The allegations show a trained doctor is injecting Mr. Perry in parking lots,” he said in the trailer. “We used to blame the victim. We don’t do that anymore.”
The shift marks a new focus on those who supplied Perry—Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, dubbed the “Ketamine Queen,” both pleading not guilty and set for trial in August.
The special reveals Perry received 27 ketamine shots in his final three days, a staggering detail from Estrada. This came after he’d sought the drug for depression, only to fall into exploitation by an underground network.
Fairchild’s emotional take, paired with Estrada’s legal insights, paints a fuller picture of a star undone by those he trusted. For fans, it’s a raw look at a tragedy that hit too close to home.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Jaja’s career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including Business Times and Brigada. As a news editor, she covered a wide range of beats, including business, economy, cryptocurrency, and personal finance. Additionally, she has successfully managed teams of writers producing content on gaming, technology, and entertainment.
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